Taoiseach has already made ‘circle of enemies’ in Fianna Fáil

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has already created what sources have called a ‘circle of political enemies’ within his own party.

The new Taoiseach’s apparent ministerial snubbing of several senior negotiators has provoked private fury. At least three of those negotiators feel ‘furious and betrayed’. Those who are believed to be in a state of political shock include Anne Rabbitte, Thomas Byrne and Dara Calleary, the party deputy leader.

The Taoiseach’s ambitious Dublin colleague Jim O’Callaghan was also ignored. One senior figure said of Mr Martin: ‘He has made powerful new enemies internally. He is no longer just opposed by old lags like Ó Cuív and McGuinness.’

There are they said: ‘A lot of young and hungry faces there now. There has been a total failure to recognise the importance of Dublin. Fellows like Jack Chambers will be casting a cold eye into the future. They are not interested in junior ministries.’

Mr O’Callaghan recently emerged as a challenger to the new Taoiseach and, despite his abilities and status as a two-term deputy, was snubbed by Mr Martin. One senior Fianna Fáil figure warned: ‘Jim O’Callaghan is not going to be hanging around… with the hope of getting a junior ministry.

‘If he wants to make mischief, there are a lot of those who were previously Micheál supporters and who have no reason to be there now.’ Another source said: ‘They must feel like right clowns, they spent five weeks up in

Government Buildings late into the night only to be cleared out by some internal Munster mafia.’